Demographic Challenges of the Rapidly Growing Societies of the Arab World

Abstract

Researches on Arab population spread into Asian and African continents, coordinated by the League of Arab Nations (a coalition of 22 Arab states) are insufficient to create discussions and common policies. Significantly higher growth rate results in a youth bulge – expansion of youths. The current analysis through the International Data Base of US Census Bureau aims at exploring the demographic change in the Arab World, by distinguishing them into Gulf Cooperation Council, West Asia, Maghreb and Nile Valley African Horn. The population of Arab World grew from 232 million (1992) to 360 million (2012), affecting sex ratio, geographic distribution, migration flows and thus influencing living standards and socioeconomic conditions, thereby determining social life. Natural increase and migration contributes to the growth rate, thus influencing the society – economically active working age population, children, and old aged. Vital statistics – fertility and mortality – have relevance not only in the population policies and programs but also in public health and social infrastructure planning. The low mortality but fast declining fertility lead to gains in life expectancy. Thus, population change alters lifestyle, socioeconomic engagements, time allocations, traditions, and cultures determining the society’s priorities, recognitions, focus, and botherations; thus, determining social life. Changing sex ratio, reducing proportion of children, increasing aging, and widening youth population have a marked effect on the social structure.